How to Recover Files after Windows 11 Reset

Unfortunately, after a Windows 11 factory reset, all data on the computer is deleted, including files that were not backed up. However, you can try using a data recovery software to scan your computer's hard drive and attempt to recover deleted files. Keep in mind that the success of this process depends on various factors, such as the type of file system used, the condition of the hard drive, and the promptness of the recovery attempt. If you're unable to recover your files, it's always a good idea to back up your important data to an external hard drive or cloud storage service in the future to prevent similar losses.

Windows 11 reset is a viable option for users stuck with problems that can't be solved except by reinstalling Windows 11. If reset can resolve the issue, it's a more efficient alternative to a full reinstall. However, this approach comes with the risk of significant data loss if a backup of Windows 11 hasn't been prepared. Users have two options to choose from when resetting their PC.

• 1. When you choose to "keep my files" and reset this PC, it will remove all apps and settings, but keep your personal files, such as documents, photos, and videos, intact. This option is useful if you want to start fresh with a clean installation of Windows, but still have access to your important files.
• 2. The process of resetting your PC to its original factory settings will remove all personal files, apps, and settings. This will essentially restore your PC to its default state, erasing everything you've added or changed since its purchase.

The second option may delete all data, including documented, videos, images, and downloaded files, wiping out everything on the C drive. In contrast, the first option may delete personal files stored in app folders, such as downloaded videos, potentially resulting in disappointment.

You can recover lost files after a Windows 11 reset, regardless of whether you chose option 1 or 2. If you have a Windows backup file, you can easily retrieve your data. However, it's essential to act quickly, as overwritten files will be harder to recover. To get back lost files, consider using professional data recovery tools and following the right approach to your Windows backup file. The sooner you take action, the better your chances of recovery.

Quick Navigation

Part 1. How to Restore Lost Files after Factory Reset with Backup File

Part 2. How to Recover Files after Windows 11 Reset without Backup (Using Data Recovery Software)

Part 1. How to Restore Lost Files after Factory Reset with Backup File

Backup is always necessary if you never want to be a victim of data deletion or data theft. It's not a hard thing to retrieve lost files after factory reset, if you have created a backup of your current Windows on an external, USB flash drive or internal hard drive, you can retrieve your data quickly in such cases but if you haven't created backup or you have an old backup that doesn't contain files from few last weeks, then you to bear the loss of those files or try the data recovery way in part 2. Here are the steps on how to find files with Windows 11 factory reset:

1. To backup your computer, search for "backup" in the start menu and open the tool that appears as "Backup Settings", then open it.
2. To create a system image, click on Backup and Restore (Windows 7) and follow the prompts to create a system image.
3. After creating the backup, you will see a window where you have to choose the device or folder where you have created the backup and click on the "Next" button.

If you've performed a factory reset on your Windows 11 computer and lost important files, you can try recovering them using the Windows Backup tool. If you have a recent backup, you can restore your files from the backup.

Part 2. How to Recover Files after Windows 11 Reset without Backup

The solution described can recover files only if a backup is already stored. If not, third-party tools can help, scanning the drive to find recently deleted files.

Deleted files on a Windows 11 computer remain on the drive until recovered by a data recovery tool, making them invisible to the user. A reliable and efficient option for recovering permanently deleted files is Deep Data Recovery, which we've tested and found to be highly effective in various data loss scenarios. Its performance and reliability make it the best choice for this task, and we'll use it to perform the Windows 11 file recovery scan.

Step by Step Guide on How to Retrieve Files After Windows 11 Reset

1. Download the best data recovery software for Windows 11 on your PC to recover deleted files, documents, and other data that you thought were lost forever.
2. Install it according to the instructions provided in the installation
3. Click "go to setting" to filter file types
4. Select drive to extract data

To retrieve files, select the desired location to scan and click the "Scan" button, initiating the scanning process. The duration of the scan depends on the number of files found on the Windows PC.


5. Recover lost files after factory reset in Windows 11

After Qiling completes the scanning process, it displays a list of all recovered files, allowing you to preview them before restoring them. You can select the desired files and save them to an internal or external drive of your choice, utilizing the Deep Data Recovery tool's feature.

Qiling is a great option for recovering files after a Windows 11 reset, especially if you don't have a Windows backup file. It's essential to perform data recovery as soon as possible, as the sooner you do it, the better the result will be.

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